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HUANG SHAN MAO FENG

YELLOW MOUNTAIN FURRY PEAK
GREEN TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING

Daguyun, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Huang Shan Mao Feng is a classical Chinese green tea from the high mountains of Huangshan, known for its elegant, down-covered buds and refined leaf shape. Produced from carefully selected early spring material, it reflects precise timing in harvest and meticulous handcrafting that preserve its natural freshness and clarity. The infusion is clean and balanced, with a gentle vegetal sweetness, soft floral nuances, and a smooth, composed texture. MORE

AROMA
Floral, fruity

TASTE
Vegetal, fruity

CULTIVAR: Huang Shan Da Ye Zhong
HARVEST: Early spring (Pre-Qingming), 2025
Close-up of Huang Shan Mao Feng dry leaves with silver buds.
ABOUT
Huang Shan Mao Feng, often translated as "Huangshan Furry Peak," is one of China’s most esteemed green teas, with a legacy that dates back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). The name refers to its origin and appearance: the delicate, silvery hairs on the tender buds and the sharp, peak-like shape ("feng") of the processed leaves. Harvested in early spring, this tea is prized for its elegance, purity, and balance. Grown in the misty peaks of the 'Yellow Mountains', it has long been admired by scholars, poets, and connoisseurs, and is frequently listed among China’s top ten famous teas.

Tea cultivation in the Huangshan region dates back over a thousand years, with significant developments occurring during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). However, this tea specifically gained recognition during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Local legend attributes its name to an ancient tale involving a scholar who, while studying in the mountains, encountered a beautiful fairy who introduced him to the exquisite taste of the tea leaves. By the early 20th century, Huang Shan Mao Feng was included among the "Top Ten Famous Teas" of China, further solidifying its place in tea culture. Its production methods, emphasizing hand-picking and careful processing, have been passed down through generations, ensuring the tea retains its traditional qualities.

TERROIR
Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its extraordinary granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and breathtaking scenery. The mountainous terrain of Huangshan provides an ideal microclimate for tea cultivation, featuring high elevations, rich soils, and a mix of fog and sunshine that create perfect growing conditions. The unique geographic setting of Huangshan impacts the tea's growth cycle. The mountainous altitude leads to slower leaf maturation, imparting a more complex flavor profile. Moreover, the mineral-rich soil contributes to the tea's distinct taste. The dense fog also protects the young tea plants, allowing them to flourish with minimal interference from harsh weather conditions.

Huang Shan Da Ye Zhong is a local tea plant variety cultivated in the Huangshan region, specifically selected for the production of traditional green tea. The name “Da Ye Zhong” translates as “large-leaf type,” referring to the relatively bigger, broader leaves compared to standard small-leaf cultivars used in many Chinese green teas. From a botanical perspective, it belongs to the Camellia sinensis species, typically classified closer to the var. assamica lineage or intermediate local populations adapted to the Huangshan mountain environment. These plants are well suited to higher elevations, cooler temperatures, and misty conditions, which contribute to slower leaf growth and higher accumulation of amino acids and aromatic compounds. In practical terms, Huang Shan Da Ye Zhong is valued for producing a softer, fuller, and more expressive liquor. Teas made from this cultivar often show a rounder body, gentle sweetness, and a slightly more pronounced aromatic profile compared to small-leaf cultivars, while still maintaining the clarity and elegance expected from high-grade Chinese green tea.

ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf appearance is elegant and natural, with slender, slightly twisted leaves accompanied by fine, down-covered buds in a fresh green tone with pale silver accents. The aroma of the dry leaves is clean and restrained, expressing soft vegetal nuances with a light floral touch and a gentle sweet undertone. In a preheated gaiwan, the tea gradually opens up, the aroma becoming warmer and more layered, revealing notes of sweet corn, steamed greens, and a subtle creamy softness. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully open, and the aromatic profile becomes more expressive and rounded, combining fresh spring greenery with delicate floral nuances and a refined natural sweetness.

The aroma of the liquor in the empty cup is clean and transparent, with a soft, airy sweetness and gentle warm tones that emphasize clarity and balance. The taste is smooth, soft, and well-structured, with a calm and harmonious texture. From the first sips, a gentle sweetness and light umami appear, followed by fresh vegetal notes reminiscent of young greens and tender herbs, supported by a very subtle floral accent. The aftertaste is clean, refreshing, and persistent, with a soft returning sweetness and a composed, elegant finish. In the empty cup after drinking, a light sweet-floral aroma remains, with delicate creamy and warm grain-like nuances.

PRODUCTION
Huang Shan Mao Feng is produced according to a classical green tea processing method, where precision and speed are essential to preserve the freshness of early spring material. The process begins with careful hand-harvesting, typically selecting a bud with one or two young leaves at a very early stage of development, when the concentration of amino acids and aromatic compounds is at its peak.

After picking, the leaves undergo a short withering phase to reduce surface moisture and make them more pliable for further processing. This is followed by the critical step of pan-firing, traditionally carried out by hand in a wok, where the enzymatic oxidation is halted. During this stage, the producer carefully controls temperature and movement to fix the green character of the tea while shaping the leaves into their characteristic slightly twisted, pointed form.

Once fixation is complete, the leaves are gently shaped and partially dried through repeated, controlled heating and cooling cycles. This step refines both the appearance and the internal structure of the leaf, contributing to the tea’s smooth texture and balanced extraction. The final drying is done at lower temperatures to stabilize the tea, reduce moisture to a safe level for storage, and preserve its clean, delicate aromatic profile.
Appreciating the aroma of dry Huang Shan Mao Feng leaves.
Placing tea leaves into a preheated gaiwan.
Pouring hot water over Huang Shan Mao Feng leaves.
First infusion with clear pale jade liquor.
Enjoying the aroma of the fresh infusion.
Second infusion with deeper color.
Drinking Huang Shan Mao Feng tea.
Later infusion maintaining clarity.
Fully opened Huang Shan Mao Feng leaves after brewing.

CHINA CLASSICS

Explore more Chinese classic teas within the AN SHIM TEA Collection.